Carton construction



A 21 1 1 K. E. MAXON 2,565,182

CARTON CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 24, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. KAR LE. MAXON Wig/jg Aug. 21, 1951 K, E. MAXON CARTON cousmucwrou 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1947 INVENTOR. K AR L E. MA XONlTfdiY/YEYS Aug. 21, 1951 K. E. MAXON 2,565,182

CARTON CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 24, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. KARLE. MAX ON IYTTORNEVS Patented' Aug. 21, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECARTON CONSTRUCTION Karl E. Maxon, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 24, 1947, Serial No. 781,977

14 Claims.

My invention relates to carton constructions,

more particularly to carton constructions which are provided withpouring spouts. Included in the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a carton having a pouring spout which is formedintegrally in the carton blank and which, apart fromnormal alteration inthe carton-forming machinery, adds no appreciable cost to themanufacturer of the carton.

Second, to provide a carton of this character in which the pouring spoutis foldable and when folded is fiush with the surface of the carton sothat the external dimensions of the carton are any one of which mayserve toguide the contents so that the angle to which the carton is heldwhile pouring is not critical but instead the most convenient angle maybe selected.

Fifth, to provide a pouring spout carton which may be rendered"sift-proof; that is, the contents of the carton, even if in powderform, may be retained without danger of sifting through the pouringspout prior toinitial opening of the carton, and even after the cartonis once opened, the pouring spout may be effectively closed to preventloss or spilling of the contents.

Sixth, to provide a pouring spout carton which, although suitable forpowdered material, is equally suitable for the packaging of coarse orflake material.

Seventh, to provide a pouring spout carton which, by reason of thecomplete seal which may be afforded and an inherently large pouringspout provided, may by the use of liquid-proof materials be adapted tothe packaging of liquids.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter,reference is directed to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one end of a cartonincorporating my novel pouring spout, the spout being shown sealed priorto initial opening.

Figure 2' is a similar fragmentary perspective view showing the spoutpartially opened.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the spout fullyopened and in pouring position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Figure 3 showing amodified arrangement of the pouring. spout.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary developed view of the carton blank as itappears before folding.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified form of mycarton construction in which the pouring spout is initially concealed bya tearable tab, this tab being shown in the process of removal.

Figure 7 is a similar fragmentary perspective view showing the pouringspout partially opened.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a modifiedarrangement of the tearable tab.

Y Figure 9 is a perspective view of a still further modified form of mycarton wherein the spout is initially closed bya sealed tab.

Figure 10 is a perspective view thereof showing the spout open.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view of a carton blank corresponding to theconstruction shown in Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further modified formof my carton construction showing the carton in its initial or sealedposition.

Figure 13 is a similar fragmentary perspective view showing the pouringspout partially open.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view of a carton blank corresponding to theconstruction shown in Figures 12 and 13.

Except for the end or side at which the pouring spout is placed and theadjacent portions of a carton my carton is conventional in construction,that is, the carton includes a front panel I, a back panel 2, andintermediate side panel 3 between panels I and 2, an extreme side panel4 which is adapted to be joined to a glued flange 5 provided at theextreme edge of panel 2. The side panel 4 is provided with a top endflap 6 and panels I and 2 are provided with top side flaps I and 8respectively. Similar flaps not shown but conventional in constructionare provided at the bottom of the carton.

My pouring spout is incorporated in the top flaps 'I and 8 and theintervening portion above the intermediate side panel 3. The top flap 8is connected to the side panel 3 by an articulate web comprisingsubstantially triangular sections 9, III, II and I2. These sections arejoined by a center crease l3, intermediate creases l4 and I5 and sidefolds I 6 and IT. The crease I6 defines the upper extremity of the panel3 while the crease l'l defines the adjacent extremity of the top flap 8.An angular crease line I8 extends from the intersection of the creaselines It and II diagonally across the flap 8 preferably at approximatelya 45 angle. The crease line I8 defines the hypotenuse of a triangularportion l9 which forms a cover for the spout sections 9, I0, II and 12as will be brought out hereinafter.

The cover portion I9 is provided with a flange 20 which, when the cartonis folded, overlies the front panel I. The flange 20 is adapted to betemporarily or lightly glued to the front panel i and may include a tab2| adapted to begrasped in order that the flange 20 may be broken freeof the front panel I. Under the tab 2| the front panel may have aweakened portion 22 capable of forming a slit into which the tab 2| maybe inserted after the carton is initially opened.

When the carton is folded, the top flap 1 is folded under the flap 8.The comer of the top flap I which lies adjacent the confronting cornersof the panel 3 and top flap 2 is notched as indicated by 23 so as toprovide an opening through which the contents of the carton may bepoured.

When the carton is folded, the spout sections 9 and I are folded underspout sections I2 and II respectively so that the creases I4 and I5 lieunfolded adjacent each other and crease I3 which is thus foldedunderlies the crease line I8 defining the cover portion I3. When it isdesired to open the carton and utilize the spout, the tab 2| is raisedto free the cover portion I9, as indicated in Figure 2. The coverportion is folded about the crease line I8 until virtually doubled backupon the top flap 8. This frees the pouring spout comprising thesections 9, III, II and I2. When the cover portion I8 is returned to anintermediate or vertical positio such as that shown in Figure 3, thesections tend to form with the cover portion and the underlying flap I apyramidal spout structure at the apex of which is a hole formed by thenotch 23.

It will be observed that the several sections form V troughs, any one ofwhich may serve to guide the contents of the carton. Also, it will beobserved that the spout forms a funnel of, general proportions tofacilitate return of excess contents or to contain excess contentsduring the course of pouring from the package.

In'some instances, it is desirable that the section 9 be cemented to thetop of flap 7, as shown in Figure 4. This is particularly desirable forfinely powdered materials as it tends to insure .firm contact betweennot only section 9 but section I II and the flap I when the spout isfolded.

While the various crease lines, particularly l4 and I5, may radiate fromexactly the same apex as the crease lines It, II and I8, this is not' I3to cause the reverse snap action so that the cover portion may bereturned to its initial position.

It has also been found that while the crease line I3 may extend itapproximately 45' relative to crease lines I6 and II it may be offsetslightly toward crease line I! so that sections 9 and I0 are slightlywider than sections II and I2. This has the effect of forcing the creaseline I3 slightly under the crease line l8 when the cover portion I8 isfolded so that sections 9 and III tend to lie flat and snug against theunder flap I and thus provide a tighter closure for the carton.

While the tab 2| and weakened portion 22 are illustrated, it is, ofcourse, obvious that these members may be omitted. The flaps I and 8 maybe glued together in their areas not occupied by the spout sections andcover portion. In addition, or alternatively, the flap 8 may be providedwith a glued flange 24 which overlies the upper edge of the front panelI and continue from the flange 20. This flange, of course, may beomitted. if desired.

Reference is now directed to the constructions shown in Figures 6, '7and 8. The arrangement here shown is essentially the same as in thepreviously described structure except that top flap I is placed overinstead of under top flap 8 to form a cover panel. In the constructionshown in Figures 6 and '7 the top flap I is provided with a triangulartear flap 25 which may be torn free along perforations 26.Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, the tear flap 21 may be rectangularand bordered by perforations 28. In either case the pouring spout andcover portion is is completely covered by the tear flap 25 or 21. Uponremoval of the tear flap the spout may be opened and operated in themanner shown in Figures 2 and 3. It will, of course, be

observed that the entire triangular area under the cover portion I9forms the opening between the interior of the carton and the pouringspout and is thus suited for packages containing relatively large-sizedobjects. This does not, however, preclude the use of the constructionshown in Figures 1 and 4 for similar contents inasmuch as the notch 23may be made as large as desired.

Reference is now directed to the construction shown in Figures 9, l0 and11. This construction is essentially the same as that shown in Figures1-5 except that flanges 20 and 24, as well as tab 2|, have been omitted.In addition,

the spout portion is shown ascomprising three spout sections 29, 30and3| in place of the four spout sections previously employed. In effect,crease line I5 is omitted. The spout sections. however, fold under thecover portion I9 as in the previously described structure. In this casethe cover portion is initially held closed by means of a label orsticker 32. While the size of the spout formed by the sections III. I Iand I2 or 28, 30' and 3| may vary, depending upon'the contents for whichthe carton is designed, it is preferred that the extreme edges of thespout defined by these sections extend beyond a line between the remoteextremities of the crease lines It and II; that is, the spout preferablyoccupies the major portion of the square or rectangle defined by flaps Iand 8 and side panel 3.

Reference is now directed to the construction shown in Figures 12, 13and 14. The construction here shown is particularly designed to minimizethe alteration required in conventional packaging machinery. In thisconstruction the panel I2 is notched as indicated by 33 so that itterminates short of the extremity of the flap I 9.

The projecting portion of the flap I9 is provided with adhesive 34 whichextends along the margin of the flap and is adapted to overlie the area35 0f the end member I as well as a comer of the may be notched alongthe broken line 38 shown in Figure 13 so that direct contact is hadbetween the flapl9 and the end member I. It is preferred, however, toextend the panel 9 the full width of the edge 3 to improve the"sift-proo qualities of the container.

When the carton is sealed as shown in Figure 12 the folded edges! 6 andI1 confront each other and form the reinforced sides of a slit 31 inwhich ones finger nails or an implement may be inserted to pry apart thesealed extremity of the flap l9 so that the package may be opened foruse.

It should be noted that members I, 2, 3, I and 8 may be termed panels;that members 8, I and 8 may be termed edge panels"; that the cover l9functions as and maybe termed a "flap" or a monoplanar flap and that thespout sections 9, I, II and I2 of Figures 1 through 5 or thecorresponding sections in the other figures may be considered asportions of a radially articulated web.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I donot wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carton involving: side and edge panels, the edge panels beingfoldably connected to the side and to extremities of said side panel andhaving corners contiguous to a corner of said side panel and, whenfolded, having adjacent extremities; a bellows member foldably connectedto the adjacent extremities of said edge panels and having crease-linesradiating from the contiguous corners of said panels; one of said edgepanels having a crease line also radiating from said contiguous cornerto the extended margin of said edge panel to define a monoplanar flapbordering said bellows member; said bellows 4.'A carton involving: sideand edge panels,

the edge panels being foldably connected to the side and top extremitiesof said side panel-and having comers contiguous to a corner of said sidepanel; a bellows member foldably connected to those extremities of saidedge panels which, when folded, are adjacent each other, said bellowshaving crease lines radiating from the contiguous comers of said panels;one of said edge panels having a crease line also radiating from saidcontiguous corner to define a monoplanar flap bordering said bellowsmember; said bellows member foldable under said flap, and cooperatingwith said flap when open to form a pouring spout; and a further edgepanel underlying said bellows member and defining an opening in theregion adjacent the contiguous corners of said panels for discharge ofthe contents of said carmember foldable under said flap, and cooperatingwith saidfiap when open to form a pouring spout.

2. A carton involving: panel members so connected as to define whenfolded a box of rectangular form; a monoplanar flap integral with one ofsaid panel members occupying a corner thereof, said flap having edgessubstantially coinciding with edges of said panel member, and a foldableedge traversing said panel; an articu lated member joined to said paneland to an edge of said flap, said articulated member movable between afolded position under said flap when said flap lies substantially in thePlane of said panel and an extended position when said flap is foldedoutwardly from said panel along said foldable edge, said articulatedmember and flap cooperating to form a pouring spout.

3. A carton involving: an underlying and an overlying end panel; a sidepanel connecting said end panels; an articulated web, includingtriangular sections radiating from substantially a common point,foldably connected between said side panel and one of said end panels,and, when folded, adapted to fit under said end panel; said end panelincorporating a monoplanar flap continuing from its folded connectionwith said web ton through said spout, said opening occupying a minorportion of the area under said flap whereby said bellows member and flapmay form a furmel for return of excess contents to the carton throughsaid opening.

5. A carton involving: side and edge panels, the edge panels beingfoldably connected to the side and top extremities of said side paneland having corners contiguous toa corner of said side panel; a bellowsmember foldably connected to the adjacent extremities of said edgepanels and having crease lines radiating from the contiguous corners ofsaid panels; one of said edge panels having a crease line also radiatingfrom said contiguous corner to define a flap bordering said bellowsmember; said bellows member foldable under said flap, and cooperatingwith said fiap when open to form a pouring spout; and a further edgepanel overlying said fiap and perforated to form a section covering saidflap, said section being removable to expose said flap thereby to permitopening of said pouring spout.

6. A carton involving: sideand edge panels, the edge panels beingfoldably connected to the side and top extremities of said side paneland having corners contiguous to a corner of said side panel; a bellowsmember foldably connected to the adjacent extremities of said edgepanels and having crease lines radiating from the contiguous corners ofsaid panels; one of said edge panels having a crease line also radiatingfrom said contiguous corner to define a flap bordering said bellowsmember; said bellows member foldable under said flap, and cooperatingwith said flap when open to form a pouring spout; said flap having a tabcontinuing therefrom and overlying said side panel, and a weakenedportion in said side panel adapted when ruptured to form a slit forreceiving said tab.

7. A carton as set forth in claim 2, wherein:-

a tab is foldably connected to said flap and ocgupies an initialposition overlying a side of said 8. A carton as set forth in claim 2,wherein:- a tab is foldably connected to said flap and occupies aninitial position overlying a side of said box; and said side is providedwith a rupturable slit-forming portion to receive the extremity of saidtab.

9. A-carton as set forth in claim 2, wherein: a cover panel overliessaid-flapand includes a removable tear fiap at least coincidental inarea to the flap thereunder.

10. A carton as set forth in claim 2, wherein: a flap member underliessaid fiap and a portion of said articulated member; said flap extendsbeyond said articulated member whereby said flap and flap member haveconfronting portions; and adhesive on said confronting portions.

11. A carton as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a tab is foldablyconnected to said flap and is adapted to overlie said side panel.

12. A carton as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said side panel isprovided with a slit adapted to receive the extremity 0! said tab.

13. A carton as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a cover panel overliessaid flap and, includes a removable tear flap at least coincidental inarea to the flap thereunder.

14. A carbon as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a flap member underliessaid flap and a portion of said articulated member; said flap extends 15beyond said articulated member whereby said flap and flap member haveconfronting portions; and adhesive on said'confronting portions.

KARL E. MAXON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 205,531 Donahue July 2, 18781,704,987 Marsh Mar. 12. 1929 2,313,987 Buttery Mar. 16, 1943

